Environmental ScienceEnvironmental ScienceLiving Things in EcosystemsLiving Things in Ecosystems

Chapter 2Chapter 2

Notes #1Notes #1

LaVigne

The story of Borneo (in Asia)The story of Borneo (in Asia) DDT killed mosquitoes (that carried malaria)DDT killed mosquitoes (that carried malaria)

DDT also ended up killing the waspsDDT also ended up killing the wasps Effect- thatch roofs collapsedEffect- thatch roofs collapsed The caterpillars boomed because there were no The caterpillars boomed because there were no

wasps to eat themwasps to eat them DDT also ended up on cockroachesDDT also ended up on cockroaches Geckos ate the roaches, got nerve damage, got Geckos ate the roaches, got nerve damage, got

slow enough to be killed by house catsslow enough to be killed by house cats The house cats dies of poisoning, allowing the rat The house cats dies of poisoning, allowing the rat

population to boom population to boom

The story of Borneo (in Asia)The story of Borneo (in Asia) The rats brought fleas, which brought the plagueThe rats brought fleas, which brought the plague Healthy cats had to be shipped in!Healthy cats had to be shipped in!

Ecosystems: Everything is Ecosystems: Everything is connectedconnected

EcosystemEcosystem- all organisms in a certain area, along with - all organisms in a certain area, along with their physical environmenttheir physical environment

They are all in the biosphereThey are all in the biosphere Ex. Deserts, wetlands, coral reefs, etc)Ex. Deserts, wetlands, coral reefs, etc)

Often considered isolated unitOften considered isolated unit However there are not clear boundariesHowever there are not clear boundaries

(things can move from one system to another)(things can move from one system to another)

Composition of EcosystemsComposition of Ecosystems

biotic factors – living parts of an ecosystembiotic factors – living parts of an ecosystem animals animals plantsplants microorganismsmicroorganisms

Composition of EcosystemsComposition of Ecosystems

Abiotic factors – nonliving parts of the Abiotic factors – nonliving parts of the ecosystemecosystem TemperatureTemperature SunlightSunlight Water supply/humidityWater supply/humidity Soil type/Mineral nutrients Soil type/Mineral nutrients

In an ecosystem there are:In an ecosystem there are:

communitiescommunities a group of interacting populations of different a group of interacting populations of different

speciesspecies

Ex. In a forest – plants, animals, Ex. In a forest – plants, animals, microorganisms, etc…microorganisms, etc…

Habitat – the place where a living thing livesHabitat – the place where a living thing lives

In an ecosystem there are:In an ecosystem there are:

populationpopulation a group of individuals of the same species living in a group of individuals of the same species living in

a particular placea particular place

Ex. All the oak trees in a forestEx. All the oak trees in a forest Ex. All white tail deer in MichiganEx. All white tail deer in Michigan

In an ecosystem there are:In an ecosystem there are:

speciesspecies a group of organisms that can produce fertile a group of organisms that can produce fertile

offspring/share common genes therefore resemble offspring/share common genes therefore resemble each othereach other

ExEx. . People at a gatheringPeople at a gathering Ex. Robins in the forestEx. Robins in the forest

organismorganism one individual living thingone individual living thing

In an ecosystem there are:In an ecosystem there are:

nicheniche an organisms way of life an organisms way of life

how it fits into its environmenthow it fits into its environment RelationshipsRelationships Reproduction (when, how many)Reproduction (when, how many) Shelter/actuary, etcShelter/actuary, etc Ex. A dog has puppies, barks at strangers, wants Ex. A dog has puppies, barks at strangers, wants

to get positive attention from his master, gets to get positive attention from his master, gets fleas, sleeps at the foot of the bed, eats dog fleas, sleeps at the foot of the bed, eats dog food, etc.)food, etc.)

In an ecosystem there are:In an ecosystem there are: